I just stumbled upon a 5-part spiritual formation lecture series from Dr. John Coe (from Biola University’s Institute for Spiritual Formation). I’ve already listened to the first lecture and I have to say it’s great stuff! So, what I’d like to do is invite anyone who is interested to go and download the series (along with the outlines and prayer projects) and we’ll use this space for a 5 week long discussion. Each week we’ll listen to one lecture, do the corresponding prayer project, and come here to discuss what we are learning. If you are interested, go here to … Continue reading →
The 40 Day, ancient Christian season of repentance and preparation for Easter Sunday (Lent). Traditionally, people fast or abstain from something for the 40 days. This time of fasting is meant to help us embrace the suffering of Christ as well as to help us become more deeply devoted to the only One that truly matters. Chris Webb, President of Renovare’, writes, that it is “a time of repentance, an opportunity to experience the mercy of God, to be set free from past patterns of behavior, and to embrace a life of joyful holiness.” Lent is not just about giving … Continue reading →
I am currently in a class titled “Christian Spirituality in Everyday Life” and we are currently discussing the topic of discovering the sacred in what may seem like the mundane – experiencing God’s presence in ordinary life. A basic foundation is the truth that God is “omni-present”, everywhere at all times. Consider Psalm 139:7-12. But, how do we learn to “practice the Presence” in ordinary times? It can be “easy” to experience God when we are at worship or participating in communion, but what about when we are at home doing chores or at the office keeping up with work? … Continue reading →
The God Who Smokes by Timothy Stoner could be called a multifaceted book. Stoner recounts his days as a missionary child in Europe and South America. He also writes about his children and how they heard the call of God on their lives. But the bulk of the book focuses on “Emergent theology” and how it effects the body of Christ. Emergent theology is a very controversial topic. Critics say that it is watering down and diluting the gospel, while its proponents say that it is making the gospel relevant to our contemporary world. According to Stoner, many who believe … Continue reading →
One of my goals in the new year is to spend more quality time in writing for this blog. But, I don’t just want to write about things that no one cares about. So, I’d like to ask you: What topics would like for us to discuss on this blog? (Obviously they need to stick to the general realm of spiritual formation, but I’m open to ideas). Also, I’d like to develop more of a sense of conversation and community on the blog. We have a lot of readers and visitors, but not too many commenters (you may notice that … Continue reading →
The beginning of a new year is always a good time to evaluate your life and make plans for growth and development. Though, as probably many people know from experience, if you don’t have a plan, your resolutions don’t last too long. Planning for growth is essential to experiencing growth. To help with this, I’ve put together a simple tool to help you plan for growth in 2010. It covers areas of your life with God (based partially on Renovare’s six streams), your personal sphere of influence, and other areas of life that you may want to grow in. I … Continue reading →
Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. and author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Good Chase, is an encourager and an inspirer. I always feel that way after reading one of his books. In his latest, Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, Mark gives us a fresh look at the Great Commandment (Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength) and challenges us to go “primal” by stripping our Christianity down to it’s “simplest, rawest, purest” form. He does so with his unique way … Continue reading →
